Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Maintaining Unity in Spite of Differences” Romans 14:1-15:12
Review
Transformation in how we live begins with renewal of how we think. From chapter 12 on, Paul specifies several areas where we need to adjust our thinking and change our living.
A. Regarding our dedication to God (12:1-2)
B. Regarding our place in the body of Christ (12:3-10)
C. Regarding our purpose in life (12:11)
D. Regarding difficult times (12:12)
E. Regarding saints in need (12:13)
F. Regarding difficult people (12:14-21)
G. Regarding government (13:1-7)
H. Regarding our neighbor (13:8-10)
I. Regarding our lifestyle in light of Christ’s return (13:10-14)
1. Perceive the times
a) It is already past time to wake up
b) The culmination of our spiritual journey is closer
c) The dawning of the kingdom of light is near
2. Practice the truth
a) Live in light of the truth not the darkness
b) Live honorably not wickedly
(1) Avoid aimless pursuits
(2) Shun shameless sexual pursuits
(3) Stop selfish pursuits
c) Embrace Jesus and evade the flesh
“Love greatly and live godly in light of the Lord’s soon return.”
J. Regarding unity in spite of differences in our service to God 14:1-15:7
There are more divisions and fights in the church over minor matters than significant differences. Many of the bitter differences that arise in the church have little to do with significant matters clearly addressed in the Scriptures. Many of our current denominations developed due to differences of opinion over things like mode of baptism, manner of government, styles of worship, methods and forms.
Believe as I believe, No more, no less;
That I am right, And no one else, confess;
Feel as I feel, Think only as I think;
Eat what I eat, And drink what I drink;
Look as I look, Do always as I do;
Then, and only then, Will I fellowship with you.
Paul addressed such differences in the church at Rome and how we should think and act when they arise. This must have been a significant issue in the church at Rome and perhaps the Corinthian church because Paul devotes significant space compared to the space given to other issues. The specifics of the problem are not really clear from this passage. We do know it had something to do with the particular observance or failure to observe certain rules concerning diet and days. There are actually two tracks of insight to be gained from this passage.
First -- how we should deal with differences regarding the way we worship and serve God.
Second -- The whole issue of our freedom or liberty in Christ.
The primary purpose of this passage is to encourage unity in spite of differences.
As far as I understand the situation in the church at Rome, two factions or groups had developed. The beauty of the Gospel is that it initially united extremely diverse and sometimes hostile groups of people. Rich / poor, nationality / nationality, Jew and Gentile. The Roman church attracted both Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians. The Gentiles came to the church with little spiritual heritage other than pagan rituals. The Jews brought a rich heritage of worship and expressive religious ritual and practice. Both groups came to understand that salvation is by grace alone and that no ritual or observance of the Law could save them or cause them to be welcomed by God. No level of trying to keep the Law could merit salvation. Salvation came on the basis of faith in the work of Jesus on their behalf. The one group whom Paul labels “the strong” enjoyed a healthy understanding of their new found freedom in Christ and felt no pressure to observe either diet or days to please God. The Jewish Christians however maintained a sense of duty regarding both diet and days. Paul calls these “the weak” or those without strength because of their sincere but unnecessary compulsion to continue many of the non-essential traditions of their heritage. It is thought that they were so concerned about still observing strict dietary laws that they had actually become vegetarians in order to guarantee avoiding un-kosher market meat. They also still held the Sabbath Day to be of greater importance than other days; perhaps also certain other observances of special Jewish feast days. From what we gather from this passage, a division arose between the two groups that Paul felt obligated to address.
Comparable contemporary issues might include things like style of worship, church attire, various protocol or procedures, celebration of certain days or observances over others, Bible versions, taste in décor, instruments used in the church, SS curriculum, perhaps even issues like time of the rapture or who is the anti-Christ or the kings of the North. It may have to do with how we raise our children or what we do for leisure. These are things that might be considered non-essential or things not specifically addressed or clearly addressed in Scripture one way or the other. These are issues related to form rather than doctrine. These are things dealing with taste or tradition rather than truth. Perhaps they relate to more to policy than Biblical propositions. They have little to do with essential teaching and tenets of the faith.
The simple solution to such differences in the church would be to split the congregation according to traditions and group preference. Believe me, it has been done hundreds of times over the centuries over far less differences. Paul addressed the situation from God’s perspective. God’s solution, though much more difficult to practice from a fleshly perspective, produces much greater glory to the Lord of the church. God’s solution lies in the next chapter an a half. Paul devotes 35 verses to the issue. Paul heralds no less that fourteen commands or change points in these verses. Along with each command Paul attaches the truths or theological reasoning which support why we should change. This continues a familiar pattern. Paul seeks to renew our thinking in such a way that it transforms our living.
In order to best present the argument in this passage I have linked the commands found here into common groups to help us better understand the reasoning for changed our living. The passage then breaks down into five basic change points along with their think points, a prayer for unity and an overall, summary accompanied by its related reasoning or renewed thinking closing with a benediction to the whole section on changed living in light of our great salvation.
1. Welcome each other in spite of differences 14:1-4
a) Change Points
(1) Welcome (accept) each other (14:1)
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
The word translated “accept” means “to receive to one’s self, warmly welcome, embrace, draw into close fellowship”. Paul qualifies such acceptance or warm welcome by reminding them not to associate with one another just for an opportunity to judge.
Two other related instructions expand on the problem simmering among the sheep.
(2) The ones who eat must stop despising the ones who abstain(2-3)
One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat,
The word translated “contempt” means to “despise utterly, make of no account, regard as nothing, treat with contempt.” The verb form calls them to stop an action already still in progress. “Stop despising those who do not eat!” We so easily develop a bad attitude toward those who live and think differently than us. This is especially true if we feel judged because we don’t measure up to their expectations. The “strong” in this case would be tempted to look down on the “weak” because they just “don’t get it!” “How could they be so legalistic?” “How can I fellowship with such people?” “Especially since I feel judged by them.”
(3) The ones who abstain must stop judging the ones who eat 14:3
the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
It is even easier for the “legalist” to judge the lifestyle of the “liberal”. “I can’t believe that you could actually eat such things or do such things or wear such things to church. Paul instructs the “weak” to stop “judging” the “strong”. This is a word that means to
1 to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose. 2 to approve, esteem, to prefer. 3 to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion. 4 to determine, resolve, decree. 5 to judge. 5A to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong. 5A1 to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one’s case may be examined and judgment passed upon it. 5B to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure. 5B1 of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others. 6 to rule, govern. 6A to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment. 7 to contend together, of warriors and combatants. 7A to dispute. 7B in a forensic sense. 7B1 to go to law, have suit at law.
The Roman Jewish Christians were passing judgment on the Gentiles. The Roman Gentile Christians were rejecting the Jews. Paul calls on them to stop regarding each other with contempt and condemning each other but warmly welcome or embrace one another as brothers.
He includes strong reasoning for such a change of behavior.
b) Think points
(1) God already welcomed both the “strong” and the “weak” 14:3b
“for God has accepted him.”
How can we reject someone whom God has already embraced? The same word is used here as in verse one.
(2) Who are we to reject or judge whom God welcomes? 14:4a
Who are you to judge the servant of another?
Not only must we embrace one another but we must not judge one another because it is not our job. Why aren’t we to judge? Because we are not the Lord. We are not the master. We are each individually responsible to the Master, the Lord of the church.
(3) God is the master not us 14:4b
To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Others are not ultimately responsible to us for their actions (“to their own master the stand or fall”)
Neither are we responsible for them (“God is ABLE to make them stand.”)
2. Focus on personal convictions and motives (14:5-12)
a) Change Points 14:5
Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
Whatever you embrace as your practice, do it with full conviction. Know why you do what you do. Let each person be convinced in their own mind. Each person must reason through on their own why they do what they do.
b) Think Points
(1) Focus on the motivation 14:6
He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
Consider a person’s motivation. Why do they do what they do? In this case both the eater and the abstainer did so out of their love for God. Both practiced their personal convictions with gratefulness to God. This fact becomes an important test in regard to our freedom or liberty in Christ. The motivation behind our behavior must be as an offering to the Lord. We do it or don’t do it as an expression of our love for God. It is to the Lord!
Our discipline and whole life is an offering to Him. And so it should be for Paul reminds us about the focal point of our life.
(2) Our lives should revolve around the Lord not ourselves 7-9
For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
No matter where we are or what we do whether on earth or heaven, the Lord is central.
(3) Each person will give account to God as the ultimate Judge
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
Paul’s command to focus on our own conviction is clear in light of the faith that each one will give account personally for their own actions, not for the actions of others. If we are not responsible to judge each other, then what is our responsibility? The next cluster of commands and change points revolve around building up not breaking each other down.
3. Build each other up don’t break each other down 14:13-21
a) Change Points
(1) Beware of causing the weak to stumble 13
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
No only are we not to judge but we are also to be careful not to hurt the weaker brother by putting a boulder in his path that causes him to trip.
(2) Don’t let the strength of your convictions be considered evil 16
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil
If your convictions cause hurt to others it is not longer seen as a good thing.
(3) Don’t destroy or tear down the weaker brother over food 15,20
Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food.
(4) Pursue peace and the building up of one another
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19
Our focus should be to refrain from hurting and focus on helping one another.
b) Think Points
(1) If one perceives something to be sinful it becomes sinful 14
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
We need to realize the sensitive nature of the “weaker” brother. Even if we are convinced that something is not hurtful to us. We can in good conscience eat pork roast. We must realize that to indulge in an activity or that someone has reservations concerning becomes sin for them even if it is not sin in the eyes of God. The point is to be careful not to cause them to change their behavior without first changing their thinking on the activity.
It one perceives something clean but it hurts other it becomes sinful 14-15, 20
For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.
If the weaker brother acts when he feels it is wrong, it is sin to him.
If we act knowing that it will do harm to a brother it becomes sin even to us who have no conviction concerning the activity. Such behavior demonstrates a lack of genuine love for others. Christ died for them; the least we could do is abstain for them. This seems difficult and there are balancing Scriptures. Everything is evil to someone and if we applied this principle everywhere all the time we would not do anything. We need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in these matters and consider first the building up of one another and the avoidance or tearing down especially over trivial matters such as food.
(2) The heart of the kingdom is not eating and drinking 17
… the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The evidence of God’s kingdom among believers is righteousness, peace and joy. These are recurring themes found earlier in Paul’s letter. Justification, peace with God and others, joy in every circumstance through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
(3) A focus on n the kingdom pleases both God and men 18
For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
(4) It is good to abstain from things that cause others to stumble 21
It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.
To sacrifice for the sake of a “weaker” brother is a good thing.
4. Live by your own convictions 22
a) Change point
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.
b) Think Points
(1) Blessed is the one who lives by their good convictions 22b
Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
We can condemn ourselves by approving something we know hurts others. We could also bring judgment if we approve something that is actually Bibliclly wrong. Yes there is freedom in Christ but there are Biblical moral absolutes that when violated bring consequences.
(2) Violation of personal convictions brings condemnation 23a
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith
God says the just shall live by faith. Trust in God must be lived. If we believe God has asked us to do something or not do something we must act on that belief and trust that there is a reason. To act against our conscience or believe brings consequences.
(3) Whatever is done apart from faith (trust) is sin 23b
whatever is not from faith is sin.
Paul reminds us again that not only is it impossible to please God without faith (Heb 12:6) but anything we do apart from is actually sinful.
5. Focus on pleasing others not self 15:1-4
a) Change points 1-2
(1) The strong should bear the weaknesses of the weak 1
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not please ourselves.
Some of your versions add the word ‘just please ourselves”. That seems logical but it is not in the original text. Paul asks us “not to please ourselves”.
(2) Each person should work to please their neighbor 2
Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1-2
Paul asks us to set our heart to please others. The world please means to adapt, make one’s heart soft toward, set up a positive relationship with, to take a pleasant attitude, accommodate. We are to make it our goal to set up a positive relationship with our brother for their good and for their up building.
b) Think Points 3-4
(1) Christ set the example by not pleasing Himself and bearing sin 3
For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."
No better rationale for such behavior than the fact that it reflects the very nature of Jesus.
(2) We experience hope through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures 4
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
This seemingly impossible command can become our way of life through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures. Through those we have the hope of living like Jesus lived and serving like Jesus served. Paul ties things together by a powerful prayer for unity among the scraping saints.
6. Prayer for Family unity 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May God cause us to have the same attitude of acceptance among us so that we may glorify Him with one mind and one mouth without dissention! The goal of the church is to glorify God. The mission of the church is to with a unified voice proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The “weak” glorify God by abstaining and the strong glorify God by eating. Our focus must be to glory God with one voice in spite of differences. The issue is service to God and glorifying Him.
It is possible to abstain from eating and still sin because of a judgmental attitude.
It is possible to eat and sin by despising those who abstain or cause them to stumble.
Our goal is to love God and each other. Paul concludes this with a summary command and a benediction to the whole section.
7. Summary: Welcome one another” 7-12
a) Change point 7
Paul concludes as he began. Based on God’s desire that both Jew and Gentile, weak and strong, rich and poor with one voice glorify God we are to…
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
This applies both to the strong and the weak. Both groups are to welcome one another and embrace one another just as Christ embraced us for the purpose of generating glory to God. Again, the point of it all is that such love and unity glorifies God. It is the glorification of God not the gratification of men that counts. Unity brings glory to God because it is the opposite of life in a fallen, sinful world; a world of pride, selfishness, fighting and broken relationships.
b) Think point 8-12
For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,
"THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME."
Again he says,
"REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE."
And again,
"PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM."
Again Isaiah says,
"THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE."
Christ became a servant to both Jews and Gentiles so that both Jews and Gentiles would glorify and praise God for His mercy and hope and promises. That is our mission.
8. Benediction 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Conclusion
What do we allow to break unity and fellowship? Who are we committed to please?
Ourselves?
God and our neighbor?
How often we miss opportunities to glorify God because we get hung up on the non-essential stuff.
Psalm 133 states how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
What causes us not to embrace other Christians? What keeps us from building the body of Christ? In what ways do we tears down another person over food?
Hundreds of years ago Rupertus Melenius left this motto to his followers:
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty, in all things charity.”
This takes the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to change our thinking and our living. Our natural tendency in the face of differences is to avoid and judge. God says the loving walk must embrace and welcome. We must be committed to unity and glorifying God together! When that is our goal, all the little non-essential things will find their proper place.
Sermon in a sentence
Warmly welcome and embrace one another in spite of our differences and determine to pursue only those things which produce growth not grief.
